How to do CPR on adult victim?

Introduction

Birth deaths are the two natural phenomena that all of us have to accept. When a child is born, we are happy because a new person is added to our company, whereas when a person dies, we are in sorrow because he passed away from us. This death occurs at any time due to any cause. Death due to cardiac arrest can be prevented by giving cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

An emergency is an unforeseen situation that calls for prompt and quick action to save a person's life or prevent damage. When you come across a victim with cardiac arrest, you are expected to quickly assess cardiac arrest because it is the critical factor in time and give prompt CPR. The quicker you start CPR, the better the victim’s chance of survival.

Cardiac Arrest:

Is the abrupt cessation of effective cardiac pumping activity resulting in the cessation of circulation. When the heart stops, there is no pulse. Blood is not circulated, and vital stores of oxygen will be depleted in a few seconds. In cardiac arrest, external compression must be started rescue breathing.

Sign and symptoms of cardiac arrest

1) Main:

Sudden collapse
No pulse
No breathing

2) Other

Abrupt and complete absence of consciousness
Apnea or gasping respiration
Absence of heartbeat and femoral, radial, and carotid

General concept about Cardiopulmonary

An emergency is an unforeseen situation that calls for prompt and quick action to save a person's life or prevent damage. One such emergency is cardiac arrest, which needs the lifesaving technique called Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation. It is the phase of emergency cardiac care that includes assessments and interventions that support cardiac and respiratory function.

When you come across a victim with cardiac arrest, you are expected to quickly assess cardiac arrest because it is the critical factor in time and give prompt CPR. The quicker you start CPR, the better the victim’s chance of survival. The main aim of Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is to restore heart and lungs functions.

Definition of CPR

‘Cardio’ refers to the heart, ‘pulmonary’ refers to the lungs, and ‘resuscitation’ refers to bring back to consciousness or sustaining vital functions. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a basic life support measure applied when the client’s heart and lungs actions are stopped.

This effort combines rescue breathing (also known as mouth-to-mouth breathing) and external chest compression.

^{The C.A.B. Sequence of Cardiopulmonary resuscitation}

The initial steps were A-B-C (Airway, Breathing, Compressions). The literature indicates that starting compressions early in the process will increase survival rates. Therefore, the steps have been changed to C-A-B (Compressions, Airway, and Breathing).

This is intended to encourage early CPR and avoid bystanders interpreting axonal breathing as signs of life and withholding CPR. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is based on 3 basic skill groups;

 Chest compression

 Airway

 Breathing

Consistency in the order of compressions, airway, and breathing for CPR in

Victims of all ages may be easiest for rescuers who treat people of all ages to remember and perform. Maintaining the same sequence for adults and children offers consistency. Do not perform an initial assessment of respirations. The goal is early delivery of chest compressions to cardiac arrest victims.

Important points to be followed during CPR

1) When CPR is performed improperly or inadequately, it may be ineffective in providing basic life support.

2) Never interrupt CPR for more than 5seconds for any reason

3) Do not move the victim to a more convenient site until he has been stabilized.

4) Never compress over the xiphoid process at the tip of the sternum because the pressure on it may cause laceration of the liver.

5) Between compressions, the heel of the hand must release its pressure completely but should remain in constant contact.

6) Sudden or jerking movements should be avoided when compressing the chest. The shoulders of the first aider should be directly over the victim’s sternum.

Pressure is to be applied vertically downwards on the lower sternum.

7) Elbows should be straight. 8) Lower sternum of an adult must be depressed 1.5 inches to 2 inches by external cardiac compression; otherwise, it will be ineffective.

Victims have a good chance of survival, if

 CPR is started within the first 4 minutes of cardiac arrest.

 They receive advanced life support within the next 4 minutes.

 Brain damage beings after 4-6 minutes and is certain after 10 minutes when no CPR is given.

Performing CPR on the adult victim by one rescue (one-person CPR)

Assess the responsiveness by shooting near the victim. “Are you Ok?” Tap, or gently shake the shoulders. If the victim responds, ask him about the main complaints, and check him thoroughly. If the victim does not respond to the arousal attempts, call help, even if no one is in sight.

Call someone who can assist. If the victim is lying on his face, roll them onto the back as one unit by supporting the neck with one hand and the other hand placed on the victim’s hip. Place him on a firm floor. So the heart can be compressed between the sternum and the vertebral column. In unconscious victim tongue and epiglottis are the most common cause of airway obstruction.

If the foreign body is present, take it out with your index finger and remove the foreign body.

Check for the carotid pulse on the side of the neck. Remember not to waste time trying to feel for a pulse; feel for NO MORE THAN 10 seconds.

If you are not sure you feel a pulse, begin CPR with a cycle of 30 chest compressions and two breaths.

Use the heel of one hand on the lower half of the sternum in the middle of the chest. Put your other hand on top of the first hand. Straighten your arms and press straight down.

Compressions should be ATLEAST two inches into the victim’s chest and at a rate of AT LEAST 100 –120 per minute.

Stop pressing and let the chest expand after each compression–this will allow blood to return into the heart.

Do not pause between compressions. Count while applying pressure and say “and” when pressure is released, e.g.…, “One, and Two” and three, etc. After 30 compressions, stop compressions and open the airway by tilting the head and lifting the chin to deliver two rescue breaths.

Put your hand on the victim’s forehead and tilt the head back.
Lift the victim’s jaw by placing your index and middle fingers on the lower jaw; lift.
Do not perform head tilt/chin lift if you suspect the victim may have a neck injury.

Give a breath while watching the chest rise. Repeat while giving a second breath. Breaths should be delivered over one 1 second.

Resume chest compressions. Reassess for a carotid pulse. This can happen even with proper chest compressions injuries may include

 Rib separation

 Rib fracture

 Air or blood in the chest cavity.

Prevent or minimize by...

 Using proper hand location on the chest.

 If too low, the sternum’s tip can cut into the liver.

 Keeping fingers off victim’s ribs by interlocking fingers.

 Pressing straight down instead of sideways

 Giving smooth regular, and uninterrupted compression. Avoid sudden, jerking, jabbing, or stabbing compressions.

Summary:

CPR is a lifesaving technique that is very much needed for managing cardiac arrest. Quick assessment and prompt performance of CPR are essential. If the CPR is not performed effectively in time, irreversible brain damage and ultimately death will result.

The CPR technique involves recognition of cardiac arrest, maintaining the airway, breathing, and circulation. Some of the complications are likely to occur. Example vomiting, stomach distention, etc.